Week 4 Term 3 2021
Aboriginal Acknowledgement
We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We commit ourselves to actively working alongside Aboriginal people for reconciliation and justice.
Dear Parents and Carers,
On Sunday we celebrate the Feast of St Mary MacKillop. Mary Mackillop is Australia's first saint. Mary MacKillop was a trail-blazer in her lifetime, leaving a culture of exemplary living for her followers to emulate. Mary paved the way for education of poor children and a variety of ministries which addressed the needs of 19th century Australia.
Mary MacKillop was the founder of the inspirational group of women who continue her work today in our country and in neighbouring countries. Mary MacKillop is an example of faith put into action and words, as she followed her dream to ensure country children in small rural communities in Australia were able to receive a good education in their Catholic faith and academic skills for their future. She always went out of her way to minister to the poor, the lonely, the sick and those who were outcasts.Mary Mackillop's mantra was “To never see a need without doing something about it".
Mary MacKillop Prayer
Ever generous God,
You inspired Saint Mary MacKillop
To live her life faithful to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and constant in
bringing hope and encouragement
to those who were disheartened, lonely or needy.
With confidence in your generous providence and through the
intercession of Saint Mary MacKillop
We ask that you grant our prayers.
We ask that our faith and hope be fired afresh by the Holy Spirit so
that we too, like Mary MacKillop, may live with courage, trust and
openness.
Ever generous God hear our prayer.
We ask this through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Latest Covid Information
Thank you for assisting our school by abiding by the regulations that have been released this week. We remain ever vigilant at school as the safety of our students, staff and families remains always at the forefront of what we do.
NAIDOC Week
This week we have celebrated NAIDOC Week at school. Mr Condie has been very busy visiting classrooms and talking with students, sharing art and craft activities and leading our NAIDOC assembly.
The students loved wearing casual clothes today in the indigenous colours.
We thank Mr Condie for his continued passion, hard work and commitment to ensuring our indigenous students are acknowledged and valued and for sharing his knowledge and wisdom with all students - great job!
There will be photos in our next Newsletter.
2022 Enrolments
If you are aware of anyone who may be considering enrolling at St Carthage's please encourage them to make contact with the school or go to our school website and complete the online enrolment form. Enrolments for Years 1-6 for 2022 are also open.
Book Week
This year's Book week theme is “Old Worlds, New Worlds, Other Worlds”. We will again be having our Book Week dress up and parade at school. This will occur on Friday 27th August. Unfortunately, due to the current Covid restrictions we will be unable to have our parents and carers on site to view the parade. We will take lots of photos and upload them so you can all feel part of this celebration.
School Spelling Bee 2021
This year we will be adding an exciting new event to our school calendar. St Carthage’s very first Primary School Spelling Bee will be held in week 10 this term.
In the coming weeks students can choose to enter into spelling bee heats in their Grade Level. The top 5 spellers from each Grade 3-6 will then compete in the Primary Spelling Bee Finals in Week 10 in the School Hall.
All students are encouraged to start brushing up on their spelling skills and have a go in the Grade heats.
The Spelling Bee will be a great opportunity to recognise and celebrate the students in our school who show impressive strength in spelling. The Spelling Bee also gives us the opportunity to showcase spelling knowledge as something that is valued, and to encourage our students to strive for spelling growth.
2021 Public Speaking Competition
One of the exciting events held each year at St Carthage’s is our Public Speaking Competition. Students from Kindergarten to Year 6 will all participate in the Poetry section within their classrooms. Students who show particular strength in this area, will be invited to compete in Grade Level Finals. Teachers will then select finalists to compete during Week 7 at the Stage Finals.
The second and optional section of our Public Speaking Competition is the Speech section. Students from Years 1-6 are invited to write a speech on an appropriate topic of their choice. Similarly to the poetry section, students will say their speech to their class and grade so that teachers can select finalists for the Week 7 Stage Finals.
Unfortunately due to the current COVID-19 restrictions, it is anticipated that there will not be a Zone Public Speaking Competition for students to advance to this year.
Kindergarten students enter into the Poetry section of the competition. They recite a poem from memory for about 1 minute.
Stage 1 – Years 1 and 2 students enter into the Poetry section of the competition. They recite a poem from memory for about 1 minute.
They can also choose to enter the Speech section and speak on a topic of their choice for about 1 minute.
Stage 2 – Years 3 and 4 students enter into the Poetry section of the competition. They recite a poem from memory for about 2 minutes.
They can also choose to enter the Speech section and speak on a topic of their choice for about 2 minutes.
Stage 3 – Years 5 and 6 students enter into the Poetry section of the competition. They recite a poem from memory for about 3 minutes.
They can also choose to enter the Speech section and speak on a topic of their choice for about 3 minutes.
Thank you to Mrs Loadsman for organising both of these events.
ICAS - Change of dates
We received the following information with regards to the ICAS Writing window.
In order to accommodate the changing circumstances in all states due to COVID-19 lockdowns, the ICAS Writing is moving to 5 Oct – 15 Oct 2021. This means the previously advertised window of 9-13 August is now cancelled. The new Term 4 window is the only opportunity to sit the Writing test in 2021.
Amanda Deeps - St Carthage's Primary School
Phone: 0266215529
amanda.deeps@lism.catholic.edu.au
"Living our faith means a movement
from head, to heart, to hands..."
Meals for families in need - PLEASE HELP!
At the moment our Family in Need Meals Freezer is empty!!
We are desperately in need of cooked meals which will be frozen and stored in our FAMILY IN NEED FOOD FREEZER! These meals are given to families in need to provide a little support and pastoral care when needed the most.
If you are able to contribute please drop off meals to the Office - these are always well appreciated. (Please include a note with the item listing ingredients and date cooked.)
Our school's families and staff have a fine reputation for putting our faith into action by providing and distributing these as needed. Please help. Many thanks.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
Congratulations to our students who recently made their first Sacrament of Reconciliation. Thanks to their families and teachers who prepared them so well for this very beautiful experience. A special thanks to Fr Bing, Fr Alex and Fr Peter from Ballina Parish who were available for the children for this important Sacrament.
Henry Davis said that 'He loved receiving my Reconciliation because it was a night when I felt very happy because I was able to be forgiven by God".
Ava Hutley was happy to write about her experience. She said, "When I stepped into the Church, Sister Ines greeted me and my family warmly.
We were guided to our pew and as soon as I sat down, Mr Dimmick told me that Father Bing was ready to listen to my first Reconciliation.
As I was walking towards Fr Bing, I grew a little worried. But as he welcomed me I became more comfortable and confident. As I told Fr Bing my sins, he listened carefully and respectfully. When I finished I walked back to the pew where my family was eagerly waiting for me.
I knelt and said the Hail Mary and then our family headed to Alstonville to have dinner together as a family celebration.
I felt filled with the Holy Spirit and overfilled with happiness! Now I can't wait for my first Eucharist.
World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly
Pope Francis announced the institution of World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly to take place each year on the fourth Sunday in July, close to the feast of Saint Joachim and Saint Anne, the grandparents of Jesus.
Recalling the upcoming feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple – when the elderly Simeon and Anna encountered the child Jesus and recognised Him as the Messiah – Pope Francis said, “the Holy Spirit even today stirs up thoughts and words of wisdom in the elderly.” The voice of the elderly “is precious,” he said, “because it sings the praises of God and preserves the roots of the peoples.”
He continued, “[the elderly] remind us that old age is a gift and that grandparents are the link between the different generations, to pass on to the young the experience of life.”
The Prayer for Grandparents and the Elderly can be found on this Vatican News website.
Music for you to pray in the background
Without Words Album - (Bethel Church) - When you find time to listen this week, play this album in the background and see where the Spirit moves in your prayer. https://youtu.be/8CgqV9bGWdA
Dates
2 August - Celebrating NAIDOC week
6 August - The Transfiguration of Our Lord
Sunday, 8 August - Australia's Saint - St Mary MacKillop – (St Mary of the Cross) Feast Day
Monday, 9 August - International Day of the world’s indigenous peoples
Sunday 15th August - Anniversary of the Consecration of St Carthage’s Cathedral and the Feast of the Assumption
In 1919, the Ceremony of Consecration by the Apostolic Delegate, Archbishop Cattaneo, assisted by Bishop Carrol and Bishop O’Connor of Armidale, took place at St Carthage’s Cathedral - the “Mother Church of the Diocese.” This day is also the Feast of the Assumption, which is a Holy Day of Obligation.
Saturday, 21 August - The first of our Parish Masses for students making their First Eucharist
Families of students making their First Eucharist received an important update via a student note on Friday 6 August. Please read this important notice.
Saturday, 21 August - Parent Assembly Parenting Conference
Diocesan Parent Conference
The Lismore Catholic Schools Parent Assembly is an important body of people keen to support parents and carers who have children enrolled at Catholic Schools in the Lismore Diocese. They will be hosting three regional parent gatherings this term in place of the Diocesan Parent Conference. Currently, these events are still scheduled to proceed, however, they will be postponed if forthcoming NSW Health Guidelines change. You can register using the methods indicated on the event flyer.
Sound Waves Spelling
The focus sound for the next two weeks are:
Week 3 | Week 4 | |
Trinity Visit
At the end of Term Two, Year 8 Trinity English students visited Year One and Year Two students to share a picture book they wrote and illustrated. Our students loved listening to the stories and talking to the Trinity visitors about the process they went through to create their book. They discussed the characters and setting of the stories. Students from St Carthage's also had the opportunity to read a chosen book to the visitors and discuss their favourite part of the story. Year One and Two students are excited to create their own stories this term.
Investigative Learning
This term Kindergarten has been engaged in 'Investigative Learning' for the first hour of the morning block. This approach uses planned investigations, allowing students to explore relevant and authentic learning experiences. The interests of the students, along with literacy, numeracy and the five developmental domains - emotional, social, cognitive, language and physical - are embedded into the investigations/learning environments to ensure intentional and meaningful teaching occurs. Some of the learning experiences include dramatic play, sensory play, small worlds, collage and construction. A writing, reading and mathematics space is also incorporated into this session.
Jimi Bradfield Ingrid Byrne Luca Lombardo Kaley Bennett Luke Dwyer Elly-Mae Hauser Sameeksha Bihari Henry Hogan Thomas Stormon |
Georgia Herman Hugh O'Reilly Isaac Barry Mackenzie Clark Darcey Connelly Sofia Dimmick Sammie Jones Nixie Patterson Araliya Elpitiya-Badalge |
Lilly Klemm Ruby Hall Astrid Campbell Eilish Dwyer Thomas Watson Dorelle Gall Christine Biersteker Amanda Deeps Kerri-Anne Kane |